Taking Good Care of Yourself is Not Optional It's Essential in Recovery

Many people today are focused on productivity and responsibilities that they often put self-care on the bottom of their priority list. Self care tends to be an optional, something they do when they have time, when everything else is done.

However, anyone who is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or health concerns need to make self-care their number one focus. Perhaps this is obvious with those who are already facing medical concerns. However, for those who are having a hard time in their recovery from addiction or those who are facing a mental illness, self care is not an option. It's absolutely essential.

And here's why. Let's say you haven't slept well and you're feeling tired and a little run down. Perhaps you're feeling stressed about a few circumstances in your life, like not knowing how to pay the rent. You're feeling anxious and tired and nothing seems to help in making you feel better. Suddenly an old friend calls and invites you over for a beer. This friend doesn't know you're in recovery. And since he doesn't know and since no one else will know that you went out drinking just this once, why not? Having a beer to relax seems like perfect way to take your mind off things.

Imagine this scenario if you weren't tired. If you had gotten the amount of rest you wanted and you felt a bit more focused and in gear, then perhaps you would have more readily declined your friend's invitation. Perhaps you would have been able to keep your vision of the future in mind - the vision that's helping you stay successful in recovery - and let your friend know that you're not able to join him.

The point is that when we are taking good care of ourselves we have a greater ability to make healthy choices. We have greater resilience, patience, acceptance, inner strength, and confidence. This is precisely why taking good care of yourself is essential in recovery. When you're sleeping well, eating healthy, participating in recovery-oriented services, and spending time with others who are also focused on sobriety, then you're more likely going to stay sober. In fact, good self care can even help you stay happier.

To facilitate greater self care, consider answering the following questions:

What activities can you do that would support your physical well being? This could be exercise 3 times per week, healthy eating, working with a nutritionist, visiting the doctor regularly, or establishing a healthy sleep routine.

What activities can you begin to do for yourself that would support your mental health? This might include working with a therapist, taking medication (if you need it) on a regular basis, or participating in a support group.

What activities can you do that would support your spiritual well being? Being spiritually healthy isn't on everyone's agenda. However, if you consider yourself spiritual, what can you do to support this part of you? This might include attending Sunday church service, volunteering at your church, attending a meditation class, joining a spiritually-oriented support group, or working closely with a pastor or minister.

This is a list of questions to get you thinking about self care and all the ways that you can support yourself throughout your recovery. Remember that taking good care of yourself is not optional! It's essential in recovery from addiction!